Door opening and closing mechanism



H. C. MILLER DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING MECHANISM July 1, 1930.

1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 14,

July 1, 1930. H. c. MILLER DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 14, 192'? Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuemfo c I July 1, 1930.

H. C. MILLER DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Deg. l4,

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Patented July 1, 1930 M .g I p ,NET'EFDSTATES PATENT OFFICE HOMER o. MILLER, or AKRON, OI-IIO Y noon OPENING AND CLOSING MECHANISM Application filed December 14,1927. Serial No. 239,952.

This invention relates broadly to door or and inbroken linesin a partially open posi gate operating mechanism and more particution, the section taken'on the line 11' of la'rly to a novel means for opening and clos- Fig. 3; 1 ing the doors of garages. Figure 2 is a similar view showing the doors One of the primary objects of this invenin a fully open position and the position of 55 tionis to provide means for automatically the operating mechanism when the doors are opening and closing the doors of a garage open; i after the doors have been opened or closed Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation by hand to a predetermined point, the doors of agarage or similar constructionshowing being self-operating after the said pointhas the doors in their opened positionillustrating 6O been reached. j i the novel door opening and closing mech- Another important object of the invention anism; is to provide novel means for opening and, Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the mechaclosing the doors at a point remote from the nism utilized for operating the door opening doors, so as to permit the convenient actuation and closing mechanism from a point remote V of the doors from an automobile, without from the doors;

necessitating the. driver of the automobile Figure 51is a detail section through the op from getting out of his vehicle. 7 erating handle for the door opening and clos- A further object of the invention is the ingmec'hanism; y

20 provision of novel means for locking the Figure 6 is a front elevation of the operat- 7 doors against opening movement, and novel ing neans for the; door opening and closing. means for operating said locking mechanism mechanism. in conjunction with the means utilized for Referring to the drawing in' detail, where opening the doors. inslmilar reference characters designate cor v A further object of the invention is the responding .parts throughout the several provision of a novel arrangement of levers views, the letter A indicates a garage, which and a single spring operating in conjunction Can be of the conventional type, B the garage with said levr-zrs wherebythe doors will be doors, G the novel door opening and closing automatically opened or closed, as the case mechanism and D the operating means for may be, after the doors have been partially Said (1001' opening and closing mechanism.

opened or closed to a certain specified point. As stated, the garage A can be of any @011 A still further object of the invention is to ven'tionalcharacter and includes the usual provide a novel means for opening a garage door frame 10 having hingedly connected door of the above'character, which is of an therewith the outwardly swii'iging doors B.-

exceptionally simple and durable construc- As shown-the garage is of the two door type,

tion, one that will besimple and easy to manwhich doors meet at the center of the door.

ufacture and one which can be placed upon opening. Hinges l1 areutilized for con-, the market and incorporated with a garage necting the doors with the door frame.

4 at a small cost. Thenovel door "opening and closing mechinvention consists in the novel construction, and 16 and the pair of. toggle levers 15 in arrangement and formation of parts, as will clude links 15 and 17. The link 15 has its be hereinafter more specifically described, forward end pivotally connected as at 18 to claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying the link 17 p at a point intermediate the ends drawing, in which drawing: v

Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a operating lever as will be further described. garage or similar building illustrating the The rear end of the link 15 is pivotally connovel door opening and closing mechanism, nectedas at 19 to the roof of the garage or i the doors and the operating mechanism be- 'to the upper'end of the door frame in any l/Viththese and other objects in view, the anism C comprises a pair of toggle levers115 thereof and the link 17 constitutes in itself an i 50 mg shown in full lines in a closed position desired way. The extreme inner end of the ever that, due to the connection of the doors the pivot point 24 is arranged intermediate the ends of the link 15 but nearer the pivot 19 than the pivot 18.

A bracket is rigidly secured to the door 13 of the pair of doors B adjacent to the hinge point thereof and this bracket 25 is provided with a relatively long arm 26 which extends inwardly from the door 13 at right angles thereto. The outer end of the link 22 is pivotally connected to the arm 26, as at 27 intermediate the ends of said arm, but preferably nearer the inner end of said arm. A relatively long throw link 28 is pivotally connected as at 29 to the extreme free end of the arm 26 and this throw link is in turn pivotally connected as at 30 to a bracket 31 which is rigidly secured to the door 12 of the pair of doors B. The bracket 31 is arranged further away from the hinge point of the door 12 than the bracket relative to the hinge point'of the door 13. It is to be noted how- 12 and 13 together by means-oi the throw link 28 and the bracket 26, that the doors will be operated substantially synchronously.

A relatively heavy expansion spring 32 is employed for both automatically opening and closing the doors, after the door have been partially opened or closed. This spring 32 is arranged in a predetermined relation relative to the pairs of toggle levers 15 and 16. One end of the spring 32 is anchored as at 33 to the link 22 of the toggle lever 16 at a point intermediate the ends thereof, while the opposite end of the spring is connected to the outer end of the link 17 of the toggle levers 15.

It ispreferred to provide means for adjustably connecting the spring to the link17,

so that the tension of the spring :can be adjusted and such a means has beenprovided.

his means includes an eye-bolt 3 1 to which the spring is anchored. This eye-bolt passes through the foot 20 and has threaded thereon a Winged nut '35 and it is obvious that'by tightening or loosening the said nut that the spring can be adjusted.

It isto be noted at this point that the spring normally functions to collapse the pairs of toggle levers 16 and 17 thatis, to move the pivot points 18 and 23 toward one another;

In order to operate thetoggle levers 15 and 16, an operating rod 36 is provided. This operating rod 36 is slidably and rotatably carried by the garage A and protrudes through the front of the door frame as clearly shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The inner end of the rod 36 is connected to one end of a double lever 37 which is pivotally mounted at a point intermediate its ends, as at 38 to the roof or other suitable part of the garage. The end of the lever opposite to the end which is connected to the rod 36 has secured thereto a flexible pull cable 39, which is in turn connected to the link 17 beyond the pivot point 18 and adjacent'to the foot 20. The rod 36 is rotatably as well as pivotally connected to the lever 37 and a pivot bolt 40 is rotatably carried by the lever. and has its'inner end provided with a suitable eye or hook 11 for receiving the inner hooked end of the rod. By pulling on this rod 36, as will be later described, the toggle levers 15 and 16 can be actuated for bringing about the opening and closing movement of the doors 12 and 13, as will be later described. The doors Y12 and 13'are normally held in a closed position by a pivoted latch 412 preferably carried by the upper end of the door frame. This latch 42 is adapted to normally engage a keeper 4-3 secured to the inner face of the door 12. A contractile coil spring 414 is utilized for normally urging the latch 42 in engagement with the keeper. A crank 45 is formed'on the operating rod 36 and is connected to the inner end of the pivoted latch 42 by means of a pull cable or the like 46.

In operation of the door, the operating rod 36' is first'tnrncd, so that a pull will be exerted upon the pivoted latch 42 to move'the same out of engagement with the keeper 4L3. The operating rod 36 is now pulled outward which will rock the double ended lever 37 causing a dire'ct pull on the link 17 of the toggle levers 15. The link 17 will rock on the link 15 and cause an outward thrust on the link 22 of the pair of links 16. This thrust will be transmitted to the bracket 26 causing an outward movement of the doors. Dueto the fact that the link 22 is pivoted relatively adjacent to the hinged connection of the door 13 and the fact that the lever 28 is pivoted to the outer end of the bracket arm 26 and relatively far away from the hinged pcint of the door 12, a greater movement will be initially imparted to the door 12 than the door 13 causing in reality the door 12 to move in advance of the door 13. This allows the door 12 to overlap the door 13 and this allows the meeting edges of the doors to be beveled as shown in Figure 1 of the drawing.

As the link 17 isswung on its pivot-18, the pivot points18 and 23 oi the toggle levers 15 and 16 are moved away from one another causing expanding of the spring 32, which places the same under greater tension. The swinging of the link 17 gradually swings the link 15' on its pivot 19 and when the pivot point 23 of the toggle levers 16 swings past the centeror pivot point18 of the toggle levers 17 and pull is released on the cord 39,

.to move the doors to a closed position.

the spring 32 now being free, moves the pivot points 18 and23 again toward one another to collapse the toggle and the'consequent further opening of the doors automatically. The spring functions to rock the link 22 on link 17, which exerts an outward thrust on the bracket 26.

Thus it is merely necessary togive a pull on the rod 36 until the pivot 23 passes the pivot 18, at which time the spring functions to open the doors.

To close'the doors it is merely necessary to again'pull on the operating rod 36. This pull will again. rock the two-arm lever 37, which will in turn pull on the link 17 of the toggle levers 15. The pull on the link 17 will rock the link on its pivot 18 and at the same time swing the link 15 on its pivot 19. This pull on the link 17 will exert a pulling action on the bracket arm 26 which will tend As the pivot point 18 moves past the pivot point- 23, the spring 32 which has again been placed under greater tension due to separation'of the'toggle levers to pull the pivot points of the toggle levers toward one another thus ei'zerting a further pull on the link and the link 17 h inging about the automatic closing of the doors.

Means D has also been provided for permitting the actuation of the rod 36 at a point distant from the garage doors, so that the doors can be operated by the driver of a motor vehicle as he approaches or leaves the garage.

This means D comprises a bellcrank 50, which is rockably mounted at its angle, as at to a suitable supporting post 52 or the like. This supp'ortingpost 52 is arranged at a point distant "from the garage doors at one side of the driveway in such a manner that the bell-crank can be conveniently reached from the window of an automobile, so that the necessity oi the driver leaving his automobile to open the doors or close the same is eliminated. The upper end of one arm of the bell crank is preferably twisted and provided with an eye 53 which receives a link 54,

that is in turn pivotally connected to the operating rod 36. Suitable stop collars or the like 55 are rigidly secured to the rod or link 5% on each side of the eye 53 and the forward end of this rod or link 54 terminatesin a bell crank Thelower arm oi the bell crank 50 has slid.- ably and rotatably mounted thereon a handle or hollow sleeve 57 and this hollow handl has formed on or secured to its inner end a crank 58 which is disposed directly below the crank 56. vA connecting link 59 is utilized for connecting the links- 56 and 58 together, so that upon turning movement of the hollow handle 57 the crank will be moved so as to impart rotary movement to the link or rod 54:. This will 111 turn impart rotary movement to the operating rod 36 to allow the operation of the pivoted latch 42, which as'stated, is utilized for normally holding the doors in a closed position. After the latch has been actuated it is merely necessary to press down upon the handle 57 which will exert a pull on the link or rod 54: and consequently pulling on the operating rod 36 for opening and closing the doors as already described.

Novel means'is provided for preventing unauthorized opening of the garage doors and this means includes a lug 60 formed on the lower arm of the bell crank 50 adjacent to the pivot point thereof. The hollow handle or sleeve 57'is provided with a slot 61vvhich is adapted to receive the lug 60 when the handle is pushed inward. It is obvious that when the walls of the slot 61 engage the 111g 60 that rotary movement of the handle or sleeve 57 is prevented.

The end of the'lower arm of the bell crank 50 is provided with an opening 63 for the reception of a padlock whereby outward sliding movement of the handle or sleeve 57 is prevented. Thus when the padlock isin place, movement of the sleeve cannot be had and thus rotary movement of the operating rod 36 is prevented. After the removal of the padlock 63, the hollow handle 57 canv be pulled outward a slight distance so as to engage the lug 60 from the slot 61 which will allow turning movement of the'handl'e and the consequent operation of the doors.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that a novel and simple means has been provided for operating garage doors or the like at a point distant therefrom Withmeans for positively preventing the operation of said doors by unauthorized persons.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention.

What I claim as new is: g '1. The combination with a building including a swinging door, of means for opening and closing the door comprising pairs of swinging toggle levers, means hingedly 'connecting the toggle levers together, means nor.- mally tending to move the pivot points of each pair of leverstoward one another, means operatively connecting the levers to the door, and means for actuating said levers for moving the pivot points of the pairs of the levers away from'one another and for swinging the points of connection ofthe pairs of levers past one another.

2. The combination with a building includ- I ing a swinging door, ofopening and closing means for the door comprising a bracket secured to the door and extending inward of the same, pairs of toggle levers pivotally connected together, one link of one pairof tog gle leversbeing pivotally connected to the building, and a link of the other pair of levers being operatively connected to the bracket, spring means normally urging the pivot points of the togglelevers toward one another, and means for operating the toggle levers for moving the pivot points of the levers away from one another. 7 I 3. The combination with a building including a swinging coor, of means for opening and closing the door comprising two pair of toggle levers, means pivotally connecting the pairs of levers together, means pivotally connecting one lever of one pair of toggle leversto the building, an inwardly extending bracket rigidly connected to the door, means pivotally connecting one lever of the, other pair ottoggle levers to the bracket, a contractile coil spring normally tending to urge the pivot points of each pair of toggle levers toward one another, and means for actuating the other lever of the first mentioned pair of levers for moving the pivot points of the pairs of levers away from one another.

l. The combination with a building in cluding a swinging door, of means for opening'an d closing the door comprising two pair of toggle levers, means pivotally connecting the pairs of toggle levers together, means pivotally connecting one link of one vpair ot' toggle levers to the building for swinging movement in a horizontal plane, means pivotally connecting a link of tne other pair of levers to the bracket, the other lever of the first mentioned pair of levers being extended a relatively great distancebeyond the mentioned link of the first mentioned pair of levers, means operatively connected to the extended end of the long link of the first mentioned pair of levers for swinging the toggle levers relative to one another'and on said stationary pivot, and a contractile coil spring connecting the extended end of the relatively long link of the first mentioned pair of levers to the link of the other pair of toggle levers which is pivotally connected to said bracket.

5. The combination with a building in- "cludinga swinging door, of a door opening and closing mechanism comprising two pair of toggle levers, means pivotally connecting the pairs of toggle levers together, a bracket secured to the door, the opposite links of each pair of toggle levers being extended beyond the points of connection of the pairs of toggle levers; together in opposite directions,

means pivotally connecting the extended portion of one link to thebuilding, means pivotally connecting the extended portion of the other link to the bracket, the other link of the pair of toggle levers which is connected to the building being formed relatively long, means for swinging said relatively long lever, and a contractile coil spring connected to the end of said relatively longlever and to the link which is connected to said bracket.

The combination with a building including a pair of swinging doors, of a door opening and closing mechanism including a bracket connected to one door adjacent to the pivot point thereof and including an inwardly extending arm, a link pivotally connected to the inner end of said arm and to the other door at a point remote from the hinged 0011- link and to the link which is pivotally con nected to said bracket, and'a pull mechanism connected to the relatively long link adjacent to the inner end thereof.

7. The combination with a building including a pair of hinged doors, of a door opening and closing mechanismincluding a bracket rigidly secured to one door adjacent to the pivot point thereof including an extended arm, a link pivotally-connected to the extreme inner end of said arm and to the other door at a point remote from the hinged connection thereof, two pair of toggle levers, means pivotally connecting the toggle levers together, a link of each pair of togglelevers being extended beyond the points of connection of said pairs of toggle levers, means pivotally connecting the extended end of one link to the building, means pivotally connecting the extended end of the other link to the bracket, the other link of the pair of levers which is pivotally connected to the building being of relatively great length, a contractile coil spring connected to the extreme inner end of said relatively long link and to the link which is pivotally connected to said bracket, a pull rod slidably and rotatably carried by the building and extending beyond the same, means operatively connecting thepull rod to the relatively long link, a spring actuated pivoted latch normally engaging one door for holding the doors in a closed position, a crank on said pull rod, and a link operatively connecting the crank to the latch.

8. In a door opening and closing mechaly connecting the said cranks together, as

and for the purpose specified.

9. In a door opening and closing mechanism, a pull rod rotatably and slidably mounted, a supporting post, a bell-crank rockably mounted at its angle on said post, one arm of said bell-crank terminating in an eye, the rod being 'slidably and rotatably mounted in said eye, stops carried by the rod disposed at opposite sides of the eye, a hollow rotatable handle slidably and rockably mounted on the other arm of said bell crank, cranks formed respectively on the rod and said handle, a link operatively connecting the cranks together, the hollow handle having a slot formed therein, the arm of the bellcrank carrying said handle having a lug for fitting in said slot when the handle is moved toward the pivot, whereby rotary movement of the handle will be prevented, and means for locking the handle against unauthorized sliding movement on said bell-crank.

10. The combination with a building including a swinging door, of a door opening and closing mechanism including actuating means disposed at a point remote from said door, operating means including two pair of toggle levers, means pivotally' connecting the links of the pairs of toggle levers together,

means pivotally connecting one link to the building, means pivotally connecting one link of the other pair of toggle levers to the door, an operating rod slidably and rotatably carried by the building, a two-arm lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said building, means operatively connecting one end of said lever to one link of the pairs of toggle levers, means rockably and rotatably connecting the rod to the other end of said two-arm lever, a crank on said rod, a spring actuated latch pivotally carried by the building, a keeper carried by the door normally engaged by said latch, a link pivotally connecting the crank to said latch, said actuating means embodying a supporting member disposed at a point remote from the building adjacent to one side of the door thereof, a bell-crank rockably mounted at its angle on said supporting member having an eye formed on the end of one arm,.the'eye slidably and rotatably receiving said rod, stops rigidly secured to the rod and disposed at opposite sides of the eye, a hollow handle rotatably and slidably mounted on the other arm of said bell-crank, cranks formed respectively on the rod and said hollow handle, a link connecting the last mentioned cranks together, the hollow handle having a slot formed in its inner end, a lug on the arm of the bell crank carrying said handle adapted to be received in said slot when the handle is disposed inwardly on said arm whereby turning movement of the handle is prevented, and means for preventing outward sliding movement of the handle on said arm of the bell-crank when desired.

11. The combination with a building including a pair of hinged-doors, of means for means operatively connecting one link of the I l other pair of toggle levers to one of said doors, and means connecting the doors together for synchronous movement.

12. The combination with a building having a swinging door, of means for opening and closing said door including an operating rod, pairs of toggle levers, the linksof one pair of toggle levers being pivotally connected to the links of the other pair of toggle levers, means rockably connecting one link of one 'pa1r of toggle levers to the bu1lding, means operatlvely connecting the other link of said last mentioned pair of toggle levers to the rod, and means operatively connectinga link of the other pair of toggle levers to the door.

13. The combination with a building including a hinged door, of means for opening and closing the door including pairs of togglelevers, the links of one pair of toggle levers being pivotally connected to the links of the other pair of toggle levers, means pivotally connecting the links of one pair of toggle levers to the building, means operatively connecting the other link of said last mentioned pair of toggle levers to a manual operating member, and means operatively connecting a link of the other pair of toggle levers to the door.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HOMER C. MILLER. 

